Wow! American Heart Association issues first-ever guidelines for daily added sugar

I saw this article on www.cnn.com today and I celebrated! Here are some of the important points:

"If you're like most Americans, you will consume 22 teaspoons of added sugar today. Now, the American Heart Association would like you to cut back dramatically.

For the first time, the group has issued guidelines that say women should consume no more then 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of added sugar daily, and men no more than 9 teaspoons (37.5 grams)."

I have talked about added sugars versus natural sugars with you guys before. Natural sugars are the good guys and these are not to be limited to 6-9 teaspoons per day! Limit the crappy, added sugars that fill you up with empty calories taking the place of nutrient rich calories that you could be eating instead.

"Some of the most common added sugars are corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, sucrose, and syrup.

In contrast, the most common naturally occurring sugars are fructose and lactose, found in fruit and dairy products, respectively. Foods with naturally occurring sugars deliver nutrients while still satisfying our craving for sweetness. For example, fruits have essential vitamins and minerals as well as protective agents known as phytonutrients, such as carotenoids and polyphenols; dairy products contain calcium, protein, vitamin D, and more."

So look at what you eat with a close eye. Added sugar is associated with heart disease risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of triglycerides. Limit processed foods, sodas and fruit drinks. Opt for as many fresh, whole, unpackaged, and unprocessed foods as you can, such as fruits (100% fruit juices), veggies, grains, nuts, and seeds.
"Elisa Zied, a registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson, says staying away from heavily refined foods means 'you'll not only save yourself from too much sugar, but you'll also reduce the risk of overloading on sodium and fat and calories in general.' "